5 Common Pigmentation Disorders and How to Fix Them

Hoping to finally get clear skin? Sun exposure, pollution, injuries, and hormonal fluctuations can sometimes make it difficult to achieve an even skin tone. Fortunately, there are plenty of dermatology-backed ways Dallas-area patients (and anyone) can enhance skin clarity, as explained by the team at the Dermatology Office of Dr. Ellen Turner. The best way to effectively address any pigmentation issue is to identify the source.

Here are five of the most common complaints about skin pigmentation, also referred to as hyperpigmentation, that patients see dermatologists for and what you can do about them.

Pigmentation Issue 1: Birthmarks

The pigment responsible for giving your hair, eyes, and skin their color is known as melanin. Birthmarks are blotches of discolored skin some people are born with. If they are related to blood vessel irregularities, they may have a reddish color. Issues with melanin in the skin can produce white, brown, gray, or even blue marks. Some common examples of vascular birthmarks include strawberry nevi, salmon patches, and port wine stains, while slate gray nevi and café-au-lait spots are melanin-related.

How to Address Birthmarks:

If you’re self-conscious about your birthmark and it does not go away on its own with time, have it examined by a dermatologist. Laser treatments work well for lightening certain kinds of birthmarks, like port wine stains, strawberry naevi, and café-au-lait spots.

Pigmentation Issue 2: Melasma or “Pregnancy Mask”

Melasma is characterized by brown areas or patches that are darker than a person’s actual skin color. They usually appear on the face and less commonly on the neck and forearms. Most people who have this skin problem are women. It is linked to sun exposure and hormonal imbalances—such as those that occur during pregnancy.

How to Address Melasma:

Once it has been diagnosed by a dermatologist, melasma that doesn’t fade away on its own can be addressed by a skincare professional using laser treatments (including the picosecond leaser that fires pulses in a trillionth of a second), intense pulsed light (IPL), microdermabrasion, microneedling (with or without topicals, which are better absorbed through recently treated skin), chemical peels, adjunctive therapies, and oral and topical tranexamic acid. Patients may be prescribed topical medications. It’s also recommended that you reduce sun exposure as much as possible.

Pigmentation Issue 3: Erythema/Skin Redness

Post-inflammatory skin redness is attributed to disorders or health concerns like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, contact dermatitis, skin infections, allergies, and heat rashes. The symptoms sometimes look similar and may be mistaken for each other, making a formal diagnosis important before deciding on a treatment course.

How to Correct Skin Redness:

To counteract skin redness, it’s best to first be aware of its underlying source. A good rule of thumb is to clean the skin daily with a gentle soap and water, keep it dry, and avoid known irritants. Chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis can be managed more easily when patients know their triggers. IPL helps for controlling acne and rosacea.

Pigmentation Issue 4: Age Spots/Liver Spots or Lentigines

These marks usually appear on older adults due to chronic UV radiation exposure. They most commonly occur on areas that are often sun exposed, such as the face, neck, and arms. They often have a brown, tan, gray, or black tint and a rough texture.

How to Correct Spots:

Your dermatologist can prescribe medications such as topical creams or mild steroids to help fade these marks if you wish to do so for aesthetic reasons. As with many other pigmentation concerns, light and laser treatments are an effective treatment option, and you can also try chemical peels or microdermabrasion.

Pigmentation Issue 5: Purpura Rashes

Purpura is a name used to describe a condition that causes purplish or reddish bruise-like blemishes to appear on the skin due to blood vessel breakages beneath the surface. They are sometimes referred to as skin hemorrhages or blood spots. They are usually associated with blood clotting disorders.

How to Correct Purpura Rashes:

Once it has been diagnosed, doctors may prescribe medications to increase your platelet count and recommend that you avoid blood-thinning medications. Some forms of this condition may respond well to laser and light therapies.

For a complete assessment of your skin type, history, and concerns, talk to the team at the Dermatology Office of Dr. Ellen Turner serving the Dallas area. Reach out by calling (214) 373-7546 or send them a message.